Card-selecting mechanism



March 5,1929. P, M, RAiNEY 1,704,259

CARD SELECTING MECHANISM Filed June 10, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //7 vemor:

March 5, 19 29. p, RMNEY 1,704,259

CARD SELECTING MECHANISM Filed June 10, 1918 2 sheets-sham 2 Fly. 6

Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL M. RAINEY, F MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB, BY DIRECT AND MESNIASSIGNMENTS, TO COMBINATION SELECTOR COMPANY, OI MONTCLAIB, NEW JER-SEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CARD-SELECTING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 10,

This invention relates to card selecting mechanism and particularly tomechanism for selecting one or moreelements of similar characteristicsfrom a mass or group of elements.

An object of this invention is to provide a mechanism comprising aplurality of selecting members cooperating with means for selectivelyoperating said members whereby 19 the number of selections possible islimited only by the number of combinations and permutations of theselecting members.

Another objectis the provision of a-eompact and eflicient selecting unitand one. re-

" quiring a minimum amount of time to operate.

For the accomplishment of the above objects, the invention contemplatesthe employment of permutation means comprising a plurality ofselectively operable members and means for bringing selectable elementsinto position to be selected by said permutation means. The permutationmeans may consist of a plurality of selecting bars with means foroperating said bars selectivel and simultaneously or the said bars mayoperated selectively and successively. The elements to be selected maybe of any desired character or composition such for example as fibrecards, metal cards, address plates, slugs, etc., each element havingcharacteristic notches or permutations carried thereby for selection purposes.

In card sorting apparatusused heretofore,

' positioning deviceshave been employed; that.

is, the groups of cards or elements from which certain ones may beselected are provided with holes and slots in the body thereof intowhich pins or rods are inserted, or the'cards are provided with notchesin the edges thereof into which a bar may be inserted to raisepredetermined ones out of alignment with the remaining cards. While suchsystems may be satisfactory in oflices or establishments where thenumber of selections to be made is not great and where speed is not acontrolling factor. it is highly desirable in the conduct of bigbusiness and business which is to be performed with despatch that meansbe provided for selecting accurately and quickly all cards or elementscontaining information directed to certain subject-matter. It is alsoimperative in the handling of business of large con- 1918. Serial No.239,262.

cerns that provision be made for etfectin the highestpossible number ofselections. his system is designed with the above features in mind andit provides a permutation mechanlsm for selecting a particular class ofcards so that the maximum number of possible selectlons is limited onlyby the maximum number of combinations and permutations permisslble witha given number of permutation devices.

This system is particularly useful in empltziyment ofiices of largeconcerns and it also fin s a ready field in brokerage offices and all smilar concerns where it is highly imperative that notices and letters besent out as quickly as possible to persons or firms upon the receipt ofinformation in which they may be interested. The system enables anyoneto select from a mass or group of cards all those cards containingcertain information or relatmg to a particular subject-matter and toanable the select-ion to be made as quickly as possible.

The above and other objects of this invention will be more clearlyunderstood from the following description and claims and by reference tothe accompanying drawings showiiing the preferred embodiment of theinvenion.

Referring to the drawings, Fig.1 is aside elevation of the selectingmechanism partially in cross-section; Fig. is a plan view of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detall view of one of theselectin bars; Fig. 4 1s a viewof a permutation clip or slug attached toa selectable card; Fig. 5 is a detail view of an actuating bar; Figs. 6and 7 show an alternative arrangement of the mechanism disclosed inFigs. 1 and 2; and Figs. 8 and 9 show means for elevating the selectedcards.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a stand or base 10 is providedon which the selecting mechanism and card container is mounted. Theselecting mechanism proper consists of a plurality of selecting orpermutation bars 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, a plurality of keys 20, and amember 21 individual to each key and controlled thereby for selectivelyoperating the selecting bars. A member 22, one end of which is pivotallyconnected to the base 10 at 23 and the other end of which is normallyheld against a stop pin 24 by means of a spring 25 set in a recess ofthe base, is provided on each side of the machine. The selecting" bars15 to 19 inclusive are pivotally mounted on the members 22 as clearlyshown in Fig. 3. A spring 26 having-one end attached to the member 22and the other end attached to a pin 27, is providedindividual to eachselectin bar for holding the bar in its normal position and forreturning the actuated bars to normal position when released.

To set up a selection, one of the keys is depressed against the actionof a spring 34. until the detent 36 at the lower end of the key engagesthe holding member 35. The member 35 is arranged to engage the detent 36and hold the actuated key in its depressed position until released bythe depression of release key 37. Each key 20 is provided with a camsurface 38 which surface engages the end of one of the members 21 andmoves it in the direction of its length against the action of a suitablespring 4:0. Each member 21 has on one edge, one or more teeth orprojections 39 which are adapted to engage the selecting bars and movethem against the tension of their respective springs 26 into theirselecting positions.

At the rear end of the base are two upwardly extending posts or supports28 and 29. Towards the front of the base are two additional posts 30 and31 Through the latter posts extends a rod 32which forms a ivotal bearingfor a tray support or drawer older 33. The drawer support 33 normallyrests on the posts 28 and 29 and is adapted to be rotated or tiltedabout the rod 32 in order to bring the elements or members to beielected into juxtaposition with the selecting ars.

A better understanding of the operation of the selecting mechanism maybe obtained from a description of the various operations incident to theselection of a particular card or group of cards. Let it be assumed thata particular group of cards is to be selected and let it be furtherassumed that to select a particular group, the selecting bars 15, 16 and19 are to be moved out of their normal position for selection purposes.Therefore by depression of key 20, (Fig. 1), the member 21, individualthereto will be moved in the direction of its length against springmember 40 and by means of the projections 39 carried by the member 21,selecting bars 15, 16 and 19 will be moved into the positions indicatedby the dotted lines. When the key 20 is depressed to move the member 21to this position, the depressed key will be held in its actuatedposition by means of the locking member 35. After the selecting barshave been selectively actuated to select elements having certaincharacteristics, the container or drawer containing the cards orelementsto be selected may be placed 011 the support 33 and the support andcontainer may be partly inverted or-turned into the position shown indotted lines to bring the selectable members into juxtaposition with theselecting bars. When moved into this position, those cards which arenotched or cut away in accordance with the selection assumed will moveout of their orignal positions astride the selecting bars and thosecards which are not notched in accordance with the selection assumedwill abut against the selecting bars and will be held substantially intheir original positions.

In the event that the elements or cards employed adhere to one anotherand odor resistance sufficient to interfere with their free movementsastride the selecting bars, a mechanism is provided for the purpose ofagitating or movmg the elements so that they readily fall to theirselected positions. For this purpose a ratchet 45 is provided on eachside of the machine and connected by a shaft 46. On the outside of themachine and connected to the rotatable shaft 46 is a crank or handle 47provided for the purpose of rotating the ratchets 45. A projection 48 ispro vided on each of the pivotally supported members 22 and placed inposition with respect to the ratchets 45 so that when the ratchets areturned, the teeth thereof will impart reciprocatory movements to themembers 22. As hereinbefore mentioned the selecting bars 15 to 19inclusive are pivotally mounted on the members 22. Therefore when themembers 22 are oscillated, the selecting bars will be moved in adirection towards the elements to be selected and will consequently movethe selectable elements or cards in such a manner that if any of theselectable elements tend to adhere to one another, those elements havingthe notches or cut away portions corresponding to the position of theselecting bars are freed so that they move astride the selecting bars,while those which are not notched according to the selected positions ofthe selecting .bars abut against the edges of the selecting bars and areheld back. If care is exercised in the se- 1 out of alignment with thenon-selected cards as clearly shown in Fig. 8. In Figs. 8 and 9 isdisclosed a device for elevating or shifting the selected cards. Thedevice preferably consists of a rod or bail 50 extending transversely ofthe base and normally below the cards and provided with a handle orexten- 33 and the cards sion 51. When the cards move forward or intoItheir selected positions, the forward ends of the cards move over therod 50 and then by depressin the extension 51 the selected cards mayraised above the nonselected cards as clearly shown in Fi 9. A detent orholding device 52 is provided for lockin v the rod 50 in its actuated ption, there y holdin the selected cards out of alignment with th sothers.

f several drawers or trays contain cards or elements relating to thesame subjectmatter or from which to be selected, the first drawer orcontainer may be replaced in the files and the remaining containers maybe placed on the support rom those containers may be likewise selectedin the manner just described without changin the osition of theselecting mechanism. he so eeting mechanism may be restored to normal atany desired time by simply actuating the release k? 37. The instant thedepressed key is release the actuating bar 21 and selecting barsoperated thereb are returned to normal under the action 0 theirrespective springs.

In the drawings onl one row of keys 20 is shown althou h it Will beunderstood that the keys min-yin of any number desired and they may bearranged in the form of the keys of a typewriter. It will also beunderstood that while only five selecting bars are shown, any number maybe employed in order to provide any desired number of selections and itwill therefore be understood that the number of selections possible willbe limited onl by the maximum possible number of comb1- nations andpermutations afforded by the number of selecting bars employed.

The mechanism disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 isof similar construction tothat shown in Fi s. 1 and 2, exce t that instead of providing keys forselectively and simultaneously operating the selecting bars 15 to 19incluslve, each bar is provided with an extension whereby the selectingbars may be moved to their operative positions successively, that 1s, 1nthe case already assumed, if selectlng bars 15, 16 and 19" are to beactuated to effect the desired selection, the extension 55 56 and 59respectively may be moved by hand to set up the desired selectiom Anyonefamihar with the code or operations required to'select a particulargroup of elements containing the desired information would find thestructure disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 entirely satisfactory, while theinexperienced person would find the former arrangement simpler as .thekeys could be provided with caps or markings which would indicate thekey to be depressed in order to select a particular or desired class ofelements.

It will be seen from the attached drawin and understood from thedescription herein given that the arrangement not only provides cards orelements are unlimited possibilities in the number of selections ossiblebut also enables anyone to select a Iiir e number of elements in aminimum length of time, which featureis very essential in the successfulprosecution of various kinds of business.

hat is claimed is:

1. The method of assorting cards which consists in actuating, tosimultaneously )sition them, a. plurality of members comprising aselecting mechanism wherein the number of selections possible isdetermined by the number of combinations of the positions of saidmembers of the selectin mechanism, and then causing the cards andselecting mechanism to coact to efiect the desired selection.

2. In a card-sortin device, a plurality of selectable cards, a se eetingmechanism consisting of a plurality of elements, each of which mayoccupy more than one position, means for efiectin actuation of saidselecting elements simultaneousl and means for causing said cards andsai selecting mechanism to coact to effect the selection determined bythe positions of the elements of tho selecting mechanism.

3. In a card-sorting device, a selecting mechanism consisting ofelements each of which may occupy a plurality of positions, and whereinthe number of selections possible is numerically equal to the number ofpositions each element ma occupy raised to a power equal to the num erof said elements, and means for actuating a plurality of said elementssimultaneously to selective position.

4 In a card-sorting device, a plurality of selectable cards, prising aplurality of selecting elements, means for bringing said selectingmechanism and cards into juxtaposition, and means for operating theselecting mechanism to select the card desired.

5. In a card-sorting device, cards, a selecting mechanism com rising aplurality of selecting bars, means or bringing said cards and said barsinto juxtaposition, and means for selectively operating said bars toeffect the desired selection.

6. In a sorting device, a plurality of elements having selectivecharacteristics, a permutation mechanism, means for bringing saidelements into position to be selected by said permutation mechanism, andmeans for operating said permutation mechanism to select elements ofgiven characteristics.

7. In a sorting device, a container having a plurality of selectablecards, a selecting mechanism comprising a plurality of selecting bars, abase for said container and selecting mechanism, means whereby saidcards may be moved into juxtaposition with said selecting mechanism, andkey mechanism for operating said selecting mechanism.

8. In a sorting device, a container having a plurality of selectablecards, a selecting a plurality of a selecting mechanism commechanismcomprising a pluralityof selecting bars, a base for said container andselecting mechanism, may be moved into juxtapositlon with said selectingmechanism, and means-for selectively operating said bars.

9. The combination with a container holding selectable elements, of aselecting mechanism, a hinged support for said conta ner whereby saidelements may be moved lnto position to be acted upon by said selectingmechanism, and means ior actuating said selectin mechanism.

10. T e combination with a container holding selectable elements, aselecting mechanism comprising a plurality of selecting bars, a bin edsupport for said container whereby said e ements may be moved mtoposition to be acted upon by said selecting mechanism, and means foroperating theselecting bars.

11. In a card-selecting mechanism, a plurality of selectable elements, aplurality of selecting elements, a support for said selecting elements,and means for acuating said support to impart movement to saidselectable elements.

12. In a card-selecting mechanism, a group of cards from whichpredetermined ones are to be selected, a plurality of selecting bars,

means whereby said cards igvcaasa a support for said bars, means foractuating said su port tomove said bars collectively 1n one rection, andmeans for moving said bars selectivel in another direction.

13. In a card-selecting mechanism, a group of cards from whichpredetermined ones are to be selected, a lurality of selecting bars, asupport for said bars, means for actuating said sup ort to move saidbars in the direction of t eir length, and means for moving said bars ina direction transversely of their length for selection purposes.

14. In a sorting device, a plurality of selecting elements, means foroperating said elements simultaneously, a plurality of selectableelements movable in the direction of their length for selection urposes,and means for moving the selecte elements in a direction transversely oftheir length.

15. In a sorting device, a plurality of selectable elements, a pluralityof selecting elements, means for actuating said selecting elementssimultaneously in accordance with a predetermined code to selectpredetermined ones of said selectable elements, and means for moving theselected elements out of alignment with the non-selected elements.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of June,A. D. 1918.

PAUL M. RAINEY.

